New Atlantic Highlands Group Meets to Craft and Chat

photo: Regulars at The Open Door group check out what’s on offer in their “gently used” craft supplies ‘shop’ at the Methodist Church in Atlantic Highlands.

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ - Do you enjoy crafting? Would you like to meet new friends in a relaxed atmosphere? Well now there is a chance to do both at the same time.

The Open Door is a new group meeting once a week at the Atlantic Highlands United Methodist Church and you can bring along any kind of crafting project you want to work on – and if you just want to socialize that’s fine too, according to founder Vicki Molokie.

PHOTO: Vicki Molokie at her store, Down The Shore, Crafts and More. She takes a break from business for The Open Door craft group she has launched

Vicki is the owner of Down the Shore, Crafts and More, a store on First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands which sells hand-made gifts.

The idea for The Open Door came to her earlier in the year when she was thinking about how many people enjoy crafting – but also how many people are looking for a relaxed place in their week where they could just come and chat about whatever was on their mind.

“We just come together and do crafts and talk,” she says.

The group meets on Wednesday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. in a classroom at the United Methodist Church on Third Ave and Garfield in Atlantic Highlands.

“Most weeks we have seven or eight people but it is growing. We have people doing everything from making their own Christmas cards to loom knitting which is really popular. Some people have been painting signs and others doing intricate needlepoint. We even have a sewing machine there if anyone wants to use it.”

So far, Vicki says, the group has been all female with a mix of ages. “We don’t have any men yet, but they are very welcome.”

One very popular part of the group is their “shop” where they sell gently used crafting and hobby supplies. It is open when the group is meeting on Wednesday mornings. “We also welcome donations. Everyone has craft supplies they no longer need and this way it will have a good new home!”

Vicki has had her own store for three years in Renaissance, which houses a treasure trove of vendors on the town’s First Ave.

The Open Door meets every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. at the United Methodist Church on Third Ave in Atlantic Highlands and welcomes anyone who would like to join.